Download Personality influencing moral foundations via values

How approach and avoidance personality traits influence moral foundations through values
Vidya S. Athota
University of Notre Dame Australia Australia
Boris Mlačić
Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Croatia
Abstract
Research on human morality has traditionally focused on its consequences rather than their
determinants. In this paper, we focus specifically on explaining moral foundations, and suggest that
individual differences in individual (Harm/care, fairness/reciprocity) and group binding (Ingroup/loyalty, Authority/respect, Purity/sanctity) moral foundations can be partially accounted for by
personality traits and values. A sample of 195 students was used to test a number of related
hypotheses suggesting that personality traits Extraversion and Neuroticism predict moral foundations
directly and indirectly through values of Stimulation, Hedonism, Universalism, and Benevolence.
Personality dimensions and values were measured using a number of self-report scales (e.g.,
Goldberg, 1999; Jackson, 2005; Schwartz, 1992) and moral foundations were measured by Moral
Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ) (Haidt, Graham & Nosek, 2009). Consistent with the hypotheses,
Extraversion and Neuroticism directly predicted individualising moral foundations Harm/care and
Fairness/reciprocity. The values of Benevolence, Hedonism and Stimulation played a mediating role
between Extraversion and binding moral foundations In-group/loyalty, Authority/respect, and
Purity/sanctity. These findings have important implications, specifically in relation to personality
traits and ethical values in the context of workplace moral behaviour.